Queen Building Her Status

November 2009

Minister Kayak Burke, a very eager, arrogant, sexy man, moved throughout his establishment almost like a zombie. He was the CEO of a telemarketing firm, worth half a billion dollars. With a fleet of limos, moving trucks and warehouses, his net worth has exceeded one billion dollars over the last decade. He'd met some of the workers most influential leaders and dined with Kings and Queens.

He was totally unaware of the 890 members watching his every move. Several women in the assembly crossed their legs and couldn’t take their eyes off him. A few other men secretly lusted after this powerful motivational speaker, philanthropist and self-published author that has sold half a million books through the religious circles that admire him.

In his hand was the Holy Bible and on his mind was his son, life, God and a host of other unspeakable things. He was estranged from his only son. He didn't lose any sleep over his son's life choices.

His son threatened everything he was as a man, everything that he has become would shatter if the congregation found out he had a homosexual son. Even though Kayak was raised to treat others with respect, that went out the window when his son crashed his wedding so many years ago, when he was marrying Rosa, his son's only auntie, and his son's mother's only sibling.

He prided himself on setting the standard, being that he was in a position of authority. No, he wasn't perfect, but he damn sure tried to be. He was a brand, an image. He cared about people and cared about what they had to say.

Images of yesterday exploded in his mind. Back when he got married to his late wife, rest her soul, life was good. He loved his late wife with every particle of his being.

He closed his eyes as the pictures danced in the darkness.

In the past, when he married his first wife, his son was his best man.

And what a mockery that turned out to be when everyone realized his son was gay.

Opening his eyes, he approached the podium, overlooking a huge group of well-dressed members.

There were a few new faces in the crowd, and he set the Bible on the podium and chugged on the bottle of Zephyrhills water.

“Welcome, everyone. I’m glad you all could make it. A rather lovely bunch today. We all look good in the eyes

of the Lord.”

Amen.

Hallelujah, Pastor Burke.

A sea of applause swarmed him with love and understanding. He rose up his hands. “Let’s take a moment and give thanks to God. For our lives.”

People jumped up to their feet. A few women had their open palms in the air and their heads hung low.

“Praise him. Reach down in the pit of your stomach and scream your praises.”

Out of the blue a dope dealer with dread locks took off running around the church, shouting he loved Jesus.